Relief for Nurses in Covid Crisis

Louisiana, New Orleans primarily, is one of the hardest hit demographics in the country by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so lucky to be a part of such a great team here at Ochsner. However even with that being so, we as ICU nurses, are still struggling in various ways as we continue to put ourselves on the front line to fight this HORRIBLE disease process and keep these patients alive with a fighting chance! Many of us are working 6-7  12hr shifts a week in attempt to fulfill the staffing that is necessary for the influx of all the critically ill COVID-19 patients. This often times leaves us with zero time and energy for ourselves.

DONATION ALLOCATIONS:

100% of proceeds will go directly to ICU nurse relief efforts to maintain our health and wellness during this crisis! 

Here is HOW:

—FOOD: We aren’t properly nourishing our bodies, & skipping out on meals often! Part of proceeds will go to food being catered and delivered for lunch to both day and night shift workers on my ICU unit at Ochsner. This will in turn also help the many businesses that are struggling due to the lock down, as we will be placing huge orders frequently! We will attempt to support locally owned businesses with our orders placed!

  MENTAL HEALTH:
Another thing that I would like to dedicate portions of donations to is to create a zen room in our break room with diffusers, essential oils, sound machines, massaging chairs, foot massagers, heating pads, yoga mats for stretching, snacks, hydration station, etc for our nurses to be able to step away for a second when we just need a minute to regroup before having a mental breakdown and losing it!
Everybody’s mental health is important and we are all on edge, anxious, scared, fearful, discouraged, defeated, hopeless, morally, and ethically challenged. We are all facing fatigue, depression, self-neglect, or burnout. Yet we still have to fake a smile, pull it together, and continue to go to work every day and work tirelessly to help these critically ill patients! We see death everyday and the numbers just continue to multiply. We are all having a hard time seeing the light at the end of this very dark tunnel! So with that being said, a ZEN ROOM will hopefully boost morale and the mental well being of my amazing coworkers!

We understand times are also hard for non essential healthcare workers, as many people are out of work, so ANY donation is appreciated even if it’s the smallest token of appreciation! We will all get through this very trying time together!

Thank you to everyone for all the kind words of encouragement, the prayers, donations, and support for your healthcare workers who put on capes everyday and go to work to fight this war and help protect you! 

We will routinely post updates and photos of all of your generous donations live in action! :) 

For any specific questions, concerns, comments, suggestions, etc. please feel free to email me at: 
[email redacted] 

Thanks again everyone! Please stay healthy and safe! Prayers all around!